/staff/articles/michelle+singletary/2009-11-22T05:00:00Z2009-11-22T05:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-11-22:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/21/AR2009112100049.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

There's no surprise that charitable giving is down this year. A recession can make even the most altruistic person pull back.

2009-11-19T17:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-11-19:/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2009/11/10/DI2009111008341.html?nav=rss_business/personalfinance

2009-11-19T15:12:31Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-11-19:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/19/AR2009111901682.html?nav=rss_business/personalfinance

The ways people try to make money never cease to amaze me.

2009-11-19T05:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-11-19:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/18/AR2009111803611.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

I have a love/hate relationship with gift cards.

2009-11-15T05:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-11-15:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/13/AR2009111304972.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

It only took a deep recession but finally the need to protect consumers is outweighing the almighty concern for business to make a buck.

2009-11-12T15:38:53Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-11-12:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/12/AR2009111208361.html?nav=rss_business/personalfinance

I'm always so sorry I can't get to all the questions that are submitted to my online discussion, so here are a few left over from the last chat.

2009-11-12T05:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-11-12:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/11/AR2009111126565.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

It's official -- we have a new tax break for people who don't need it, using money our government doesn't have.

2009-11-08T05:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-11-08:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/06/AR2009110604786.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

In one of the largest consumer payouts of its type, MoneyGram International has agreed to fork over $18 million to the Federal Trade Commission to settle charges that it knowingly allowed con artists to use its operation to swindle U.S. consumers out of millions of dollars.

2009-11-05T17:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-11-05:/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2009/11/02/DI2009110201866.html?nav=rss_business/personalfinance

2009-11-05T16:31:14Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-11-05:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/05/AR2009110502471.html?nav=rss_business/personalfinance

I really want to know what you think of a recent Post story, Private school families say boarding makes sense in Washington region (Nov. 3).

2009-11-05T05:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-11-05:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/04/AR2009110404405.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a hovering parent, especially when it comes to the money my children get and spend.

2009-11-01T04:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-11-01:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/30/AR2009103004227.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

No es facil hablar de dinero.

2009-10-29T14:10:04Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-10-29:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/29/AR2009102901546.html?nav=rss_business/personalfinance

If you're having trouble finding work, perhaps the answer is more training. Career expert Vickie Elmer says additional education can help the transition from prolonged joblessness to steady work or can assist with lateral career moves. Check out Go back to school to smooth career changes (Oct. 25).

2009-10-29T04:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-10-29:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/28/AR2009102804481.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

People dread getting calls from bill collectors. And it's not always because they can't pay. It can be a degrading experience, especially with third-party collectors who are overly aggressive, even threatening.

2009-10-25T04:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-10-25:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/23/AR2009102304322.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

I can't stand debt, and one of my missions in life is keeping people from borrowing beyond their means.

2009-10-22T16:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-10-22:/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2009/10/20/DI2009102001815.html?nav=rss_business/personalfinance

2009-10-22T14:31:31Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-10-22:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/22/AR2009102201896.html?nav=rss_business/personalfinance

The nation - or at least the cable news outlets - was captivated last week by images of what was thought to be a six-year-old boy flying thousands of feet high in a homemade balloon.

2009-10-22T04:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-10-22:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/21/AR2009102103664.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

The College Board recently issued its annual report on the price of getting a college education.

2009-10-18T04:00:00Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-10-18:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/16/AR2009101604006.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

Someone asked me if I was excited when the Dow once again hit the 10,000-point mark.

2009-10-15T15:05:35Ztag:www.washingtonpost.com,2009-10-15:/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/15/AR2009101501728.html?nav=rss_business/personalfinance

"Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet," says a sign at the layaway counter in the Greenbelt, Md. Kmart.